too MUCH zucchini?

[fishmommie]

Can I feed my pleco too much zucchini? the little stinker goes through a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick round slice (approx 1 - 1/2 inch diameter) almost every day. Of course, the lunker snails are eating it too but still .... I've been replacing the rind with a fresh piece every day
It's an albino BNP - about 2 inches long now. He also has his bog wood to suck on and I toss in algae wafers once or twice a week for both him and the snails and the cory cats. Also feed peas once a week and watermelon if I have it.
thanks

[escamosa]

The little stinker!! Poor little guy! You're doing exactly the right thing for him, in my opinion! He'd be loving it, in that tank! They like broccoli too, if you'd like to try him on something else! Quite a lot of people fall into the trap of JUST feeding Bristlies algea based foods, and let them constantly clean up their tanks. Their proper diet is vegetable matter, and they supplement that diet with algea. If they are left to eat just algea and whatever the other fish leave laying around, they can get intestinal problems or starve. So keep giving the little stinker his vegies, and he'll love you for it!

[fishmommie]

So keep giving the little stinker his vegies, and he'll love you for it!

That must be why he waves to me whenever I walk by the tank
and thanks. I'll keep looking for variety for him.

[escamosa]

Aww, he's not a stinker! He sounds like he's a cutie!

[fishmommie]

Aww, he's not a stinker! He sounds like he's a cutie!

he's adorable! (NEVER thought I'd say that about a pleco) And 'stinker' was an affectionate term

How old are they before they get their bristles? I've not seen even a nubbin on his nose. He's probably grown 1/2 and inch since I got him ... maybe more. He was really tiny

[escamosa]

I think it all depends on whether it's a male or a female. The females will grow smaller bristles around its snout, while the males will grow larger ones around its snout and on his head. Quite often you won't see any bristles until the fish has grown to around 2 1/2 - 3 inches. But like i said, I'm pretty sure that still depends on the bristlies sex.

[fishmommie]

Thanks, Chris
Shouldn't be much longer now then and he or she should start to have some little sprouts

[escamosa]

You're more than welcome! They're a great little pleco! One of my favorites!

[fishmommie]

You're more than welcome! They're a great little pleco! One of my favorites!

Here's my little guy :o)

[escamosa]

Chowin' down on the driftwood!